HONG KONG (SE): Father Philip Chan Chi-yan of the diocese of Hong Kong passed away at the age of 93 at Canossa Hospital, Central, on July 13.

Father Chan was born in Guangzhou, China in May 1925. His family later moved to Hong Kong and then to Macau. In 1938 he joined St. Joseph’s Seminary, Macau, at the age of 13 and later moved to the Regional Seminary of South China, Hong Kong (later called the Holy Spirit Seminary).

He was ordained a priest by Bishop Lorenzo Bianchi in 1957.

During his 60 years in the priesthood, Father Chan served numerous parishes in Hong Kong including Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Pok Fu Lam,(1972); Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Kennedy Town (1973 to 1976); St. Paul’s parish, Yau Ma Tei, (1977 to 1987); and St. Lawrence’s Church, (1988 to 1993). He also worked as a researcher at the Holy Spirit Study Centre from 1994 to 1997.

Even as he approached his twilight years, Father Chan heard confessions at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, led pilgrimages overseas and served at different parishes from time to time.

The Kung Kao Po published three compilations of his homilies in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

A vigil Mass was celebrated at St. Margaret’s Church, Happy Valley, on July 27 and he was buried the next day at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley, following a funeral Mass, also at St. Margaret’s Church.